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snakes on the farm
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by Granny on January 9, 2005
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ok, it's a selfish reason wanting the snakes out of the barn.
In 11 years in the barn not once have I been harmed by a snake but they have made me hurt myself more than once.
We also have pigmy rattlers. Don't know if thats their proper name.
I live deep in the 'sticks' in the Ar. Ozark mountains and I don't like them but I have to live with them!
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RE: snakes on the farm
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by Chance on January 9, 2005
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Hello Dyana. I couldn't help but notice that you said you lived in the Ozark mountains in Arkansas. I live just south of where the Ozarks begin, in a small down called Dardanelle (right across the River from Russellville). If you really do have a large population of venomous snakes, especially rattlesnakes, on your property, I would be more than happy to try to get up there during the coming herping season and remove/relocate as many as I could find if you think you'd find it helpful. At the very least, I'm always up for an opportunity to see native rattlesnakes in the wild, especially pigmies, which are few and far between in the area in which I live. Anyway, I'd be interested in speaking with you more about this if you're willing. The e-mail address at which you can reach me directly is rvsnakes@direcway.com, and you can take a look at my website if you wish, at http://www.rivervalleysnakes.com . I look forward to hearing from you, and hope that I can be in some assistance, even if it is only to help try to alleviate some fears.
-Chance
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RE: snakes on the farm
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by pitbulllady on January 9, 2005
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One of the things I find utterly ridiculous for people to say is something like "well, a snake might not hurt you but it'll make you hurt yourself!" NO snake can "make you hurt youself"! What's it gonna do, pull a .45 on someone and demand that that person run headlong into a brick wall at full speed, or else? IGNORANCE and the FEAR it creates WILL make you do something that is likely to result in personal injury, however. Rather than getting rid of the snakes in the barn, which are doing a wonderful favor by eating rodents that would otherwise create quite a problem if they got out of hand, learn as much about the snakes as you can. Find out what species they are(my bet would be on some type of Rat Snake, since those are by far and way the most common type of snake to be encountered inside buildings), learn of their behavior, learn what makes them react defensively. The more you know about something, the less frightening it is. The more mystery you take out of it, the more you become fascinated with it. Find out where snakes generally hang out, and how to avoid stepping on them or accidentally putting your hand on one. Snakes aren't going to come after you-you are WAY too big for any North American snake to eat, and if YOU don't act as a threat to THEM, and are aware of your surrounding, you are highly unlikely to ever be bitten. Most victims of venomous snake bites are deliberately interacting with the snake, often by either "showing off" for someone else or trying to kill the snake, when they are bitten. Most are also male, and not infrequently, alchohol is involved, and it ain't the SNAKE that's been drinking it! Education is a powerful tool for combatting fear.
pitbulllady
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RE: snakes on the farm
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by Granny on January 9, 2005
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My intent was not to upset anyone.
I ran across this site trying to 'educate' myself.
With no success, I returned to this site with a question re: rattler. A few very polite, helpful people promtly answered.
I do have a snake problem! They have done such a good job eatting rodents, they now help themselves to my chickens. Do you know how many eggs a 7 foot black snake can eat? Back in the fall, I found a large rattlesnake by a grown hen, stiff but still warm with two large fang marks. Yes, I'm GLAD my dog killed it!
I've found a grown hen with slime half way down with the slime feathers pulled back. Their even greedy!
It sounds as if you've not been educated re: farm life if you don't think sticking your head over a nest and unexpectedly seeing a snake won't make you hurt yourself.
You would protect your pet snake, I want to protect my pet chickens. I have a dog that will dispose a snake when I need her to.
Thanks to the helpful experts!
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RE: snakes on the farm
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by ALA_herp31 on January 9, 2005
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Dyana, I for one do understand that when you look over into a box and see a 6-7' long Rat Snake staring you in the eye, it can make anyone hurt themselves. I have been working with Snakes for about 14 years now, and even to this day when I see a Snake and don’t expect it to be there, it gives me the Jumping Willies to, because you never know what its going to be, could be Venomous or Non-Venomous. I was raised working on farms and around barns, so I know what your talking about. I ask that you please not judge all the members of this site to not be understanding just from the few that are not. Some ppl in our community, are very un-forgiving when it comes to Reptiles, but I for one think that the best way to do this, is to teach, not by criticism, but by patience. This I learned from my Grandfather, who tout me that, if you want to be respected, do not talk to ppl like they are below you, but give them the respect that you would want given to you. Just my opinion, remember this site is here to educate, not to criticize. Let me say that I am truly sorrryyy for the treatment some members have given you, it is un-called for...........Be safe ya’ll, happy herping, Wally
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RE: snakes on the farm
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by pitbulllady on January 9, 2005
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To those who feel I am being "impolite" by suggesting that a snake can "make you hurt yourself", I am simply telling the truth! FEAR makes people hurt themselves! I have come across countless snakes in unexpected places, both venomous and non-venomous, and I have YET to do anything that would cause myself to get hurt in any of those circumstances! Maybe I'm just one of those individuals who tends not to react out of emotion, but to calmly take stock of situations and analyze any real potential for danger, but every person who has hurt themselves has done so because they are afraid of snakes, period. That snake DID NOT make them do anything! I respect those snakes with a real capacity to envenomate, but I don't run from them. Whether I get bitten by a rattler or break my neck running from one, I am still in a "fix", right?
There is no effective "snake repellent", if that is what the lady with the chickens is asking. Lots of stuff, from sulfur to pig poop, has been suggested, but the fact remains that if there is something to attract snakes, snakes will come. The best I can suggest is to do what my friend,who raises gamefowl, does, and that is to enclose his chickens in pens of very fine mesh wire, actually hardware cloth, that only a very small snake can get through, and make sure that there are no openings between doors, walls, etc., that a larger snake can fit itself through. It isn't cheap, and it requires constant maintainance to upkeep, but it works-he's never lost an egg or a chick to a snake or other predator. The dog can only do so much insofar as keeping the snakes under control, since he can't get them all, and if he did, then there would be the chance of rats getting the eggs. Rats are far better at breaching the defenses of even the best-designed chicken coop, and will carry off and bury eggs they can't eat on the spot, as well as attack chickens, both adults and chicks. If you live out in the country, there is always the chance of encountering snakes in warm weather. That's why I say learn to identify the different kinds, and most importantly, which are venomous, and which aren't. Doing so will go a long way to lessen the fear of them. Keeping yards free of places where snakes and their rodent prey can hide will also help minimize your place's attraction to them, but again, with the presence of chickens, there are always going to be Rat Snakes around. The best solution is to make sure that they cannot get in with the chickens, and teach yourself not to be afraid of them. I live on a farm out in the "sticks', too, and grew up here, and quickly learned that you will lose livestock and poultry to predators unless you construct your animals' enclosures so the predators cannot get to them, and maintain those enclosures. I also used to have a near-phobia of spiders, but was determined that I would NOT allow a fear, one that was mostly unfounded and unreasonably, make me do something stupid that would make me get hurt, so I learned as much as I could, I made myself observe them closely and I found them becoming less and less of an object of fear, and more one of fascination. I now have 25+ tarantulas in my home, along with the snakes. It requires committment and admitting that any fear bad enough to make you do physical harm to yourself or someone else is not good or acceptable.
pitbulllady
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RE: snakes on the farm
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by RepFan on January 9, 2005
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Dyana,
I second what Wally said earlier and commend him for it. Please keep in mind two important things whilst reading material on this site. First, this is a public site and it is hard if not near impossible to police or govern it when visitors misuse it's original intent; which is to educate. This all is covered in our mission statement found in the,"About S.H.S.S."section,loctaed on the bottom left side of our site. Secondly, when posting or replying in these forums be aware that the said material's reception or the clarity of; is ultimately up to the recipient's discression because as we know writing's downfall and plite is with it's inability to potray body language,mannerisms,tone,etc.I guess that is why there are more tvs in this world than books. Also reptile enthusiasts can often be as misunderstood as the reptiles they are so very passionate about. So,in the future don't be reluctant to post a question or reply. We are always here to help. Don't be hard on yourself for having somewhat of a fear of snakes as you showed great courage just to even inquire about your problem by coming here of all places...A SITE DEDICATED TO SNAKES.
Sincerely,
Todd
(a.k.a. RepFAN)
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Attn: Sharon (a.k.a. pitbulllady)
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by RepFan on January 9, 2005
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Sharon(a.k.a. pitbulllady),
I wanted to e-mail you privately but you must by mistake had forgotten to include the address in your profile.Anyways, as I see and grasp from your writings you are somewhat very knowledgeable about snakes as well as passionate about these amazing and fascinating creatures.That is why I am a bit puzzled and confused as to why you haven't posted before... I wanted to also let you know though we share the same affinity for the slithering ones that this a forum and being so; is set up on the common Q&A format.Meaning: someone asks a question and in return someone answers. Relatively simply. So in the future could you throw aside your opinions or personal beliefs and just answer the question without the unnecessary verbage. After all if we value our snakes and their conservation... How can we do our part ensuring their survival if we turn away a person searching for answers on how to co-exist and deal with snakes?
Food for thought,
Todd
(a.k.a. RepFan)
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RE: snakes on the farm
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by emtnurse on January 10, 2005
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Make yourself not afraid of snakes?? Now Sharon, I believe that is easier said than done. This lady posted a very polite thread asking about her problem, so ease up a little. Everyone in here is a snake lover and have the greatest respect for these animals. We are hear to educate others and learn for ourselves. Bryan
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RE: snakes on the farm
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by ALA_herp31 on January 10, 2005
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Bryan and Todd have both made good points here. Think of it this way, one day you walk out into your Chicken House, you open up the nesting box without thinking. When you look into the box you see a dark colored Snake coiled up with a belly full of eggs. Being you never expected the Snake to be there, you step back in shock, not knowing what kind of Snake it is. Behind you sets a length of wood, you trip over the wood and fall, next thing you know, your laying in a Hospital bed, not knowing what happen. I know this sounds funny, but it very well could happen to even best of us. Just a example of what could happen to anyone at anytime.................Now im telling stories, im really getting strange this time, must be losing my mind, “LOL”.......Be safe ya’ll, happy herping, Wally
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